tj_shopper

It's been awhile since I've been on the forum and now doing research again.  There will be 7 of us taking the Coastal Classic train through Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward at 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 23rd.  We are spending the night in Seward and our cruise is on Friday, May 24th.  We will have lots of luggage with us and I haven't booked our hotel in Seward yet.  What do we do with our luggage on the train?  Do we keep it with us on the train?  It doesn't sound like we could.

We are a group of 7 adults who will be flying in from Chicago to Anchorage on Wednesday, May 22, 2023.  Our flight gets into Anchorage at 1:40 p.m.  Any suggestions on an easy tour or things to do on this day?  Any restaurant recommendations?

We are spending the night as we have an early morning train ride to Seward.  We will be taking the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic train from Anchorage to Seward on Thursday, May 23^rd at 6:45 a.m.  Is there a hotel that you can recommend in Anchorage that would be close to the train station – preferably within walking distance but we will have luggage.

The train will arrive in Seward on Thursday, May 23^rd at 11:20 a.m.  Any recommendations for tours, restaurants and things to do in Seward on this day?  We would be spending the night and hotel recommendation for Seward would be greatly appreciated.

On Friday, May 24^th, we will be boarding Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas.  So, hotel close to the port would work too.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

1 hour ago, GTJ said:

You can check your baggage at the downtown Anchorage station, and claim your baggage upon arrival at the Seward station. Or you can carry-on your baggage, keeping it on the floor at your seat, or leaving it in on the baggage racks in an adjacent coach. Your decision-making here is going to be influenced on whether you will need to access your baggage while traveling. For example, if you're carrying photography equipment and intend to take photographs while on the train, then you'll need to keep your baggage with you. You'll also want to carry-on any valuables or medication. On the other hand, if you're only packing clothes for the cruise, then you won't need your baggage, and it might be most convenient to check your baggage at the Anchorage station, and retrieve it upon arrival at the railroad station in Seward. When you arrive at the station in Anchorage in the morning, there will be a tent erected on the right-hand side of the station. That's where you can check your baggage, telling the baggage agent your destination is the Seward railroad station, and that you're traveling on the "Coastal Classic" train. They will tag your baggage, give you a claim ticket, and place it in the railroad baggage car. Head into the station building, grab a light breakfast if desired, shop for gifts, and wait for your train to be called for boarding.

 

Since pictures can helpful; take a look at those below. You will find:

ARR Coach Baggage - typical area to store carry-on baggage in (Adventure class) coaches

ARR Coach Car - typical Adventure class coach with overhead baggage racks

ARR Ultra Dome Car - typical first class (GoldStar) coach with no overhead baggage racks

ARR Baggage Checking - tent outside Anchorage station where baggage may be checked

ARR Tickets - typical claim tickets for checked baggage

 

Thank you so much.  This is excellent information!

On 8/16/2023 at 6:15 PM, GTJ said:

There are multiple baggage services. Included in the price of the railroad ticket is the transportation of two pieces of baggage, 50 pounds maximum each, per person, transported in the baggage car by the Alaska Railroad, from the Anchorage railroad station to the Seward railroad station. Included in the price of a cruise vessel ticket is the transportation of baggage within the limits set by the cruise line, transported by a truck arranged for by the cruise line, from the Anchorage railroad station to one's stateroom onboard the vessel.

What if we're going in a day early and not going to the ship until the next day?  Will we be able to locate our luggage when the train ride ends or do we just need to keep our luggage with us in Gold Star class which means on the floor next to us?

7 minutes ago, GTJ said:

On the floor, at your seat. if there's not many other passengers with baggage then you might be able to stash it someplace else in the car. If need be, bring it inside one of the (Adventure class) coaches, store it there, then walk back to the first class (GoldStar) car for your seat. Or check the baggage at the station in Anchorage, either for the railroad to carry it in the baggage car to the Seward railroad station, or for the cruise line have it delivered directly to your stateroom. Your baggage will get there, even if carry-on baggage service for first class (GoldStar) passengers is less convenient than for coach (Adventure) class passengers.

 

That first class (GoldStar) might be providing a lesser service than coach (Adventure) class on the Alaska Railroad reminds me of a trip a few years ago on Amtrak. I was traveling in business class, one of the amenities being complimentary soft drinks. However, to distinguish between the paid soft drinks provided to coach class passengers and the complimentary soft drinks provided to business class passengers, the former were the 12-ounce cans while the latter were 7½-ounce cans. When I requested a cola, the attendant explained that they were all out of cola for business class passengers, and that only Sprite, or something similar, was available. I was told that the remaining cola can were only for coach class passengers, not for business class passengers. There's a certain irony in paying extra for a "higher" class of transportation that provides less service.

Wow!  Thanks for the info.  I don't know what to do.  I was going to purchase the Gold Star class through Alaska Railroad.  I understand we can also purchase through the cruise line but not sure which train that goes on.

Funny about your Amtrak adventure.  It really makes you wonder about common sense, doesn't it?

On 9/1/2023 at 2:00 AM, GTJ said:

Yes, there is plenty of room for carry-on baggage, to be stored either in the overhead racks or at car ends. Think of a typical Amtrak coach car. It is also true that in the first class (GoldStar) car there is no baggage storage, for any overhead racks would interfere with views through the glass roof of the car. In my opinion, the coach (Adventure) class service more and better amenities than first class (GoldStar) service, among which is the ease of carrying on baggage.

If we are going to be in first class (Gold Star), where will we be able to put our luggage.  We are heading to Seward for our cruise.  Thanks.

On 7/30/2023 at 2:36 PM, Imma on a boat said:

I’m doing the same thing and will take the Sky Train to pick up the car at the airport. 

How far is the Sky Train from the cruise port?  We will have luggage to be lugging around with us to get to the car rental at the airport.  Thanks.

I'm actually going to be doing the opposite.  We fly into Los Angeles (LAX) on December 9th.  I'm going to pick up our rental car at Enterprise at the Airport and have it for two days.  My cruise is on Monday, December 11th and we'll drop it off at Enterprise by the cruise port in San Pedro.  I reserved a mini van for four of us through Costco travel.  It's going to cost us $362.

2 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

The quoted screenshot is from royalcaribbean.com

Thank you!

On 12/15/2022 at 8:09 PM, erinsmom03 said:

So, I always price my cruises with a mock booking before calling to book. I can't find the refundable deposit option anywhere. It's usually on the page that I select dining option and whether or not to prepay gratuities. Not there. I went all the way to the page where you put in your credit card to pay the deposit, and no refundable deposit option to be found anywhere...

Can you tell me which you do your mock booking?  I'm trying to get some pricing on refundable fares and I don't know which website/cruisesite to use.  Thank you.

I am late in replying to this thread but wanted to say that this exact same thing happened to me with IMG SE policy for a January 2023 cruise.  Our flight was canceled due to weather and we had to spend an extra night in Texas.  I submitted my expenses and two weeks later, I received my check with only half of the payment.  They divided my bill in half but only paid me and not my husband.  I had to contest it and about a month later, I received the other half.  I think it was the analyst that worked on my claim.  My girlfriend also had the same thing occur to her and she submitted her claim.  It came back perfect for her.  She must have had a different claims analyst complete hers!

We had to use our travel insurance for the first time ever in January 2023.  Our trip was delayed due to weather and our travel insurance covered our extra day we had to pay the dog sitter.  However, I never looked to see what the limit was on that.  It was only $100 per day.  We had three dogs (2 are mine and one is my daughter's).  The extra day of dog sitting was $150.  They only covered $100.  In hindsight, we should have bought a separate travel insurance policy for my daughter since she lives separate from us.  So, when purchasing, make sure you look at the limits.

From now on when I purchase travel insurance, I will purchase one for my husband and I and then separate policies for each of my daughters as they live separate from us.  I just thought it was easier to buy a policy that included all of us.  Big mistake.  It would have been a costlier mistake if we had other things that we needed reimbursed as there is a limit for each item on the one policy versus limits on each policy for each daughter.  Lesson learned.

I have used Steve at TripInsuranceStore for many years and have referred all my friends.  You don't think you need insurance, until you do lol.  We've had great experience with Steve and his team.

Most recently, we had to file a claim with IMG - iTravelInsured for a delayed trip.  It took about two weeks to receive my reimbursement; however, the analyst who completed my claim did a very poor job.  I had to resubmit my claim and contest the amount I was reimbursed.  Luckily, they reviewed my case and a few weeks later, I received the rest of my reimbursement.  So long story short, I received my reimbursement but it certainly wasn't a one and done.  IMG's website and claim process was very confusing too.  I will purchase from Steve again for sure but will probably try another insurance company and shy away from IMG.  I was just not impressed.

We are traveling more these days and am considering the annual insurance but after reading here, I don't think it would work for us.

2 minutes ago, Coral said:

May is my preferred time to cruise. I have gone in May, June and July.

 

I did a live: 

 

Thank you!  I bookmarked it and will go back and read when I have some time.

3 minutes ago, Coral said:

Yes. My trip this year was May 12-23rd. Bear watching is iffy as the salmon are not running. I did go on a bear watching trip and the bears were just coming-out of hibernation and I did see a few but not as many as if it was July-August when they are out catching salmon.

 

May is gorgeous in Alaska. Snow is still on the mountains and on the ground. Historically - May is the driest month to visit Alaska.

 

Saw some great whales.

 

All of my excursions I wanted ran as scheduled except for one which had an issue with their boat.

 

 

Thank you for the added color and description.  I just want people in our group to be aware and not be disappointed if they were to go in May.  We want to do May as it won't be as crowded and of course, it would be more cost effective.

11 minutes ago, Coral said:

I have frequently gone to Alaska in May (all through May) - and I have always heard those who have gone fishing in Ketchikan and paid hundreds to do so, have walked away with nothing.

 

Not sure where you are looking at fishing but I heard this just recently as I just got home from Alaska.

I heard this somewhere too; don't recall where.  We have a couple of people who wants to go salmon fishing but we're looking at May cruises.

What about other tours in early May?  Are things opened up this early?

Thanks.

We are deciding on two cruises - one in early May (5/9/2024) or later in May (5/24/2024).  Will we be able to do a fishing tour in early May?  I know that May is early season - I'm hoping early May most stores/shops/tours will be opened.  Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

2 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

Great, I'm happy you're going to have your day in Florence, and thanks for sharing the process.

Thank you for your help.  It was a good thing we got someone in our group who had free international calling to make the call.  She said she was on hold for a while until they found someone who spoke English.  She had to call back twice - once to get all the information and then the second time after we all collaborated on what we wanted to do lol!

We are all so excited and can't wait.  Four more days and counting!

Update:

We called Pronto Italo 060708 at the number for overseas (since we are in the US).  The number to call is +39 06 89371892 every day from 7 am to 10 pm CET (your operator fixed-line call cost applies).

It took a bit of a wait once they answered to find someone who spoke English.  We gave them our Ticket Code which they looked up.  The strike time on 5/14/2023 is 9:01 a.m. to 4:59 p.m.  Our original train to Florence from Rome was at 8:25 a.m. and it was not guaranteed to arrive Florence.  We had to change our ticket to the 7:55 a.m. train which is guaranteed to arrive Florence.  Our train ride back from Florence to Rome is scheduled at 5:42 p.m. and it was guaranteed so we did not need to change that ticket.

We are a group of 27 with four different Ticket Codes.  They were able to make all the changes and we received confirmation emails.

We could have asked for a refund but would have likely had to do it in person at the station as we couldn’t do it on the App.  Also, it wouldn’t have been a quick refund.  It would have taken some time and they mentioned that it would have to be deposited to our Bank account, although we charged it on our credit card, so not sure what that was all about.  In the end, we just decided to change our outbound ticket as it was only a half hour difference.  Glad we are still able to go to Florence.

We purchased Italo train tickets from Rome to Florence for Sunday, May 14, 2023.  Yesterday, I received an email from Italo Treno stating the following:

Dear Customer,

we are sorry to inform you that your Italo 8956 of 14/05/2023, PNR RECNXT, is not guarantee due to a strike of the Italo staff.

To get the refund or to arrange a new travel solution for the 14th of May, please contact Pronto Italo 060708.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

Have this ever happened to anyone before?  When researched, it shows that the strike will occur between the hours of 9:01 a.m. to 4:59 p.m.  Our train ticket is for 8:25 a.m. which is before the strike and our train back from Florence to Rome is at 5:42 p.m. which is after the strike.  So, does that mean we're okay?  It's outside the strike time.  Will the trains run or can it possibly get cancelled?  Not sure how they do things out in Europe.

Also, it's almost impossible to find out if I can get a refund through the app.  Does anyone know or have any experience with this?  Italo is the only one striking on this day that we can see.  I'm thinking of cancelling and purchasing from another train line.  However, there are 27 of us going for this day trip to Florence before we get on a cruise on Monday, May 15th.  We have to make it back to Rome on Sunday, May 14th so that we can catch our cruise the next day.

We also bought tickets to see the David statue in Florence and I can't find how to get refunds for that either.  Ugh - was trying to be so organized and then this happened. 

Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcomed.  Thank you.

We haven't done the tour yet, but we did book with PK Travel for 5/22/2023.  There are 27 of us and they were very accommodating.  We debark our cruise on 5/22/2023 and staying in Athens for two days.  They will pick us up when we get off the ship - take all of us with all our luggage on our full day tour.  When we are done, they will drop us off at our hotel/airbnb in the city center.  That saves us money from taking a car service from the cruise port to our hotel/airbnb.

21 minutes ago, Globaliser said:

Given that you are on such an early flight the next morning, if you try to do the journeys to/from the hotel by bus you will get almost no sleep that night. In your shoes, I would be ignoring the free room at that HIX (it's not compulsory for you to use it, whether it's free or paid for) and either taking up Island2Dweller's idea of the HGI at T2 or alternatively booking a room at the Sofitel at T5. Subject to cost, the latter would probably be preferable because of the 2-hour time change from Athens to London.

That's definitely food for thought.  I didn't even think about the 2 hour time change from Athens to London.  I'll price out the other more convenient hotels and net out the cost of the Ubers and see where that takes us.  Thanks!

3 hours ago, Island2Dweller said:

You have been booked into a hotel that is in a really inconvenient location - for it to include "terminal 5" in the name really is taking the mickey, as it is nowhere near the terminal.

There is a Hilton Garden Inn within walking distance of Heathrow T2/3.  Could you get a quote to stay there instead?  This would be massively more convenient.  There are trains between T5 and T2/3 (which are free for this journey).

BTW - no hotel at Heathrow has a shuttle - they are banned.

That's what I thought when I googled mapped our hotel.  Unfortunately, our rooms are non-refundable and booked by Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea - it's a comped room for all of us -- 11 rooms in total.  I know they won't move us.

That's really awful that they have banned airport shuttles.  I wonder why.  We were delayed on a flight home from Houston, Texas and the airline put us up in a hotel with shuttle.  It was great.  The shuttle even took us within a one mile radius for dinner.  As it looks right now, if we did Uber, my family of 5 will probably spend about $100 to go from and to the airport.  We could take the bus back to the airport but with all our luggage, I'd rather not.

22 minutes ago, Globaliser said:

 

It would probably also be worth doing this for the entertainment value. I'd love to see the driver's face when they notice a group of two dozen people plus luggage all intending to get on to a late night bus.

 

There's a more serious question: Has the OP worked out what they're going to do to get back to Heathrow in the morning? They'll need to know whether they're heading for Terminal 3 (if the flight to Chicago is operated by American Airlines) or Terminal 5 (if it's BA again), and to plan the journey. If they're going to get the bus again, they'll need to know which bus stop to go to as (according to Google Maps) routes 4 and 7 will depart from different stops. Plus they'll need to check the timetable, especially if it's an early flight.

@Globaliser - haha yea I don't know how we will all get on the bus with all our luggage - 23 of us - all adults!

I haven't even begun to think about the ride back to the airport.  We are on American Airlines back to Chicago.  Our flight is at 9:15 a.m. (flight #99).  I had to make sure the hotel knows that we're a late arrival and that wouldn't be a problem.  They say it isn't and they put a note in each of our reservations.  Once I figure out the ride to the hotel, I will start thinking about the ride back to the airport and timing.  We'll probably have to leave around 6:30 a.m. to get us to the airport two hours before our flight.

30 minutes ago, gumshoe958 said:

@tj_shopper In answer to your question about Uber, £150-200 is the ballpark total amount for 4 XL cars - so about £40-50 per car. (At this precise moment it’s quoting £41.95 from Terminal 5, but obviously that varies.)
 

In my experience it’s rare that hotels anywhere have good, up-to-date information about local buses so I’m not surprised they gave you the wrong details. The Hoppa used to serve that hotel but they seem to have cut back their network post-Covid. The number 7 will be much cheaper, anyway. I see no reason why you wouldn’t make the 11:10pm bus unless your flight’s late.

 

 

@gumshoe958

That's actually not a bad price if we could fit 5-6 people with their luggage in each XL car.

We will each have one full size luggage and a carry on bag - 23 of us lol.  I can't image how we're all going to fit on the bus with all our luggage.  I think this is a regular type bus right - no luggage rack like shuttles to hold our luggage.  Maybe we can split up - some on the bus and some with Ubers as there are so many of us.